Somali pirates lose battle to South Korean commandos, but who's winning war?

Somali pirates have increased attacks for the past four years, capturing more hostages in 2010 than in any other year on record, according to a Jan. 17 report from the London-based International Maritime Bureau. The waters off the coast of the lawless nation remain some of the most dangerous in the world. Last year, according to the bureau, 92 percent of all ships captured by pirates were taken off the coast of Somalia.

Key to stopping the surge of piracy on the high seas is stabilizing Somalia, says Capt. Pottengal Mukundan of the bureau's Piracy Reporting Center.

“There is a desperate need for a stable infrastructure in this area,” he is quoted saying in the report. “It is vital that governments and the United Nations devote resources to developing workable administrative infrastructures to prevent criminals from exploiting the vacuum left from years of failed local government.”

But there are few indications that the situation is likely to improve in the coming year, reports Al Jazeera. In the first three weeks of 2011 there have already been 22 reported incidents off the coast of Somalia, including four hijackings. Somali pirates are said to be holding 31 vessels for ransom at the current time.

Rescue operations are unusual with many countries worrying that such missions could further endanger the crew. Most shipping companies settle hostage situations by paying the pirates a ransom, reports the Los Angeles Times. Two months ago, an oil tanker belonging to the owners of the Samho Jewelry was released by Somali pirates after seven months when the company paid a record $9.5 million ransom.

With 4 percent of the world’s daily oil supply passing through the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia, according to Xinhua, the busy shipping lane remains a vital waterway. Despite a US-led naval alliance known as Combined Task Force 150 patrolling the area, pirate gangs seem to be responding with increasingly well-coordinated, complex attacks that are taking place further and further from the shore.

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